For the first time this season a total of four Blues have earned a place in AFL Media’s ‘Team of the Week’, following Carlton’s 10-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium.

As significant contributors to the Blues’ fifth victory of 2017, Bryce Gibbs, Sam Docherty, Kade Simpson and Liam Jones were selected in the Round 13 squad of 22.

An outstanding 43-disposal, 10-tackle and two-goal display from midfielder Bryce Gibbs granted the 28-year-old a spot in the side as a follower, alongside West Coast’s Nathan Vardy and Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines. 

In Gibbs’ company, backline trio Docherty, Simpson and Jones represented half of the Round 13 team’s defence, with Simpson and Docherty named as half-backs alongside Richmond’s Alex Rance, while Jones was named as a backman alongside Tiger David Astbury and Demon Michael Hibberd.

Docherty landed a place in this week’s team after he amassed 30 disposals at 97 percent efficiency, while Simpson earned his selection with 33 disposals, 15 marks and a game-high 14 intercepts during the clash with the Suns.
 

In addition to the pair, Jones snapped up a position in the side after he kept Suns spearhead Tom Lynch goalless with just 10 touches. In just his second senior game in 2017, the 26-year-old also managed 12 disposals and six marks. 

Following the match, senior coaches Brendon Bolton and Rodney Eade afforded votes to each of the four Blues for the 2017 Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. 

While Docherty, Simpson and Jones received eight, five and three votes respectively, Gibbs was one of five players across all six matches to be honoured with the maximum 10 votes. 

The coaches also gave votes to experienced heads Marc Murphy (2) and Matthew Kreuzer (1), as well as Gold Coast midfielder Jarryd Lyons (1). 

The six Blues will look to perform strongly again when Carlton goes head-to-head with Richmond on Sunday 25 June at the MCG.